So yeah if you have read my previous thread, you would know that I was originally traveling to HANGKANG, but it turns out my girlfriend and I are going to be heading to Tokyo instead (OMGSORRY ALFFLA I VISIT NEXT TIEM).
So considering how TERRIBLE the economy is in Korea and how rich the japanese people are right now (DAMN YOUUUU), I was wondering how much money one should bring during a 2-4 day stay in japan? I am looking at $100 a day hotels right now on www.hotels.com, but then again I have no idea where it is exactly located (I checked the map but it does no good when I can't read japanese and I am totally oblivious to Japan).
Also, I don't understand a single bit of japanese except for a few Anime and Porn phrases. I have no idea how the japanese culture is, what they enjoy and what they speak.
So basically...
1) How does the Japanese Subway system work? A friend of mine said Transfering to other trains makes you pay alot more. 2) Japanese Cuisine? I love Sushi and the Japanese noodles but are there other things I should try out? 3) Do taxi drivers rip you off in Japan? I know for a fact all Asian Taxi drivers try to rip you off in everyway possible. 4) How useful is English in Japan? 5) Places I should visit? 6) Is 400 USD enough over a 4day period (excluding hotel)?
Answers to those questions would be mighty thankful guys!
ED: Added another question. Also can some mod fix title to "Traveling TO Tokyo"?
1) For the subway, there's a map of the subway, complete with the price for traveling to that station. On this touch-screen interface, you click the appropriate price and pay for it, use the ticket and get to that station. Not that hard.
2) Anything that isn't commonplace in Korea. Or simply put, try EVERYTHING you can.
3) No.
4) I never used English, and my friends (who don't know Japanese) just pointed at stuff. No English, you can still survive.
5) I would visit Akihabara 24/7, but for the average folk, I don't know :p
OMGGG, nice, Tokyo!!! I remember (well actually i don't remember at all) when my mom took me there as an infant (which is why I don't remember) but nice. Best of wishes and enjoyment to ya!!! POST PICS WHEN YOU RETURN!!!!!!
It's been a while since I've been there but 1 - I can't remember exactly sorry, but it's colour coded, you may want to look up the rail system on the internet prior to going there so you know the places. It's not hard buying tickets, I fiddled around a bit and figured it out last time I went. My sister went not so long ago and she said if you're going to multiple places you can transfer your ticket or something, think you have 30 minutes before you have to pay for another one. 2 - Ramen is a must, also try katsudon, takoyaki, Japanese curry, they have these Japanese set meals you can have. Most restaurants have plastic food displayed outside to give you an idea of what they serve. 3. I don't think they rip you off, but I hear they are really expensive. 4. Very useful, I found alot of Japanese people spoke English (in Tokyo), enough to actually help you out. Although I think you should have some Japanese phrases written down, especially if you're going to buy stuff, eg. Kore wa ikura desu ka (how much is this). 5. Akihabara is your an anime fan, or you're looking to buy electronics, Ikebukuro has two of the largest department stores, depends what you want to do really. Shibuya is also good for shopping. You can also go to Rippongi, that's like a tourist destination. 6. Probably would be enough, but you won't be eating anything too expensive. 400 over 4 days will limit you for sure, but you should be ok. Just watch what you are spending.
Have a safe trip, and yeah like everyone said take pictures!
If you want to go for fashion and stuff, try Shibuya and Shinjuku.
A few useful phrases: Douyatte koko ni ikimasu ka? - How do I go here? Kore wa ikura desu ka? - How much is this? Kore wo kudasai. - Please give me this (when ordering something or buying something) Ima nanji desu ka? - What time is it now?
And in case you are interested: Ecchi wo shimashou - Let's have sex
On July 26 2009 02:36 konadora wrote: If you want to go for fashion and stuff, try Shibuya and Shinjuku.
A few useful phrases: Douyatte koko ni ikimasu ka? - How do I go here? Kore wa ikura desu ka? - How much is this? Kore wo kudasai. - Please give me this (when ordering something or buying something) Ima nanji desu ka? - What time is it now?
And in case you are interested: Ecchi wo shimashou - Let's have sex
So considering how TERRIBLE the economy is in Korea and how rich the japanese people are right now (DAMN YOUUUU), I was wondering how much money one should bring during a 2-4 day stay in japan?
FYI I think the Japanese economy is worse off than the Korean one b/c the Yen is so fucking strong and Japan is an export economy (think of the electronics + automobile industry I guess) so exports go down and the country is fuxxored.
[quote]
1) How does the Japanese Subway system work? A friend of mine said Transfering to other trains makes you pay alot more.
As long as you stay on the SUBWAY system transferring doesnt make you pay extra. If you change to the JR lines then you have to buy a new ticket, which would make you "pay more" i guess. But overall the trains ARE definitely expensive... T_T
2) Japanese Cuisine? I love Sushi and the Japanese noodles but are there other things I should try out?
Kaiseki is the most "traditional" of Japanese cuisines but in general it is MAD expensive esp if you eat at a very nice place. I guess it really just depends on what you want... GOOGLE GOGO
Personally I'd just go with mass raaaaaaaaameeennnnnnnn lol
3) Do taxi drivers rip you off in Japan? I know for a fact all Asian Taxi drivers try to rip you off in everyway possible.
highly highly highly highly doubt it. Most professional drivers I've seen anywhere.
4) How useful is English in Japan?
You can survive off of it if you're in Touristy areas and clerks at MAJOR insitutions (department stores, hotels, etc) will prolly speak it but w/e you dont really need japanese... just saunter about lol
5) Places I should visit?
Tokyo only right? No idea lol, again depends on what you're looking for. If you want "traditional" shit there's plenty even in Tokyo, but tbh china/korea/japan is all the same (well not really but you get the gist) you've prolly seen enough of it already to not really bother, maybe check out one, idk. Prolly just the regular Akiba / Shibuya / Shinjyuku / Harajyuku places and laugh at the retarded looking youngsters.
If you're going very soon there's a chance you'll bump into some festivals going on during the summer.
Just google for "japan travel" or "tokyo travel" or some BS website that'll show you shit, idk. All I ever do in Tokyo is sleep all day in a hotel, eat with pple and go shop for games ROFL.
6) Is 400 USD enough over a 4day period (excluding hotel)?
On July 26 2009 02:36 konadora wrote: If you want to go for fashion and stuff, try Shibuya and Shinjuku.
A few useful phrases: Douyatte koko ni ikimasu ka? - How do I go here? Kore wa ikura desu ka? - How much is this? Kore wo kudasai. - Please give me this (when ordering something or buying something) Ima nanji desu ka? - What time is it now?
And in case you are interested: Ecchi wo shimashou - Let's have sex
On July 26 2009 02:13 MrHoon wrote: 1) How does the Japanese Subway system work? A friend of mine said Transfering to other trains makes you pay alot more. 2) Japanese Cuisine? I love Sushi and the Japanese noodles but are there other things I should try out? 3) Do taxi drivers rip you off in Japan? I know for a fact all Asian Taxi drivers try to rip you off in everyway possible. 4) How useful is English in Japan? 5) Places I should visit? 6) Is 400 USD enough over a 4day period (excluding hotel)?
Answers to those questions would be mighty thankful guys!
ED: Added another question. Also can some mod fix title to "Traveling TO Tokyo"?
The subway is easy to figure out.
Go to a yakitori joint that serves Asahi. Enjoy.
No.
When I was there, English was extremely useful. Everyone spoke a few words.
Don't go to Roppongi. That place is hell on earth. Shibuya is the best mix of day and nightlife. If you can, go to Tsukiji in the early morning and try to make yourself scarce, lest the fishmongers yell at you.
Don't take any taxis, by the way. It cost me $50 to go less than five miles. You sit. In traffic. For. Ever. The subway is cheaper and probably faster.
On July 26 2009 02:52 DJEtterStyle wrote: Don't take any taxis, by the way. It cost me $50 to go less than five miles. You sit. In traffic. For. Ever. The subway is cheaper and probably faster.
They can't be worse than NYC taxis.... blah.... but yes, subway is always better in most places... I would say buses but buses are hard to figure out in terms of route so stick with subways or walking for most parts....
As for expenses goes, you should plan to get some extras just in case.... Japan is mad hella expensive.... at least WAY WAY more than Korea......
On July 26 2009 02:52 DJEtterStyle wrote: Don't take any taxis, by the way. It cost me $50 to go less than five miles. You sit. In traffic. For. Ever. The subway is cheaper and probably faster.
They can't be worse than NYC taxis.... blah.... but yes, subway is always better in most places... I would say buses but buses are hard to figure out in terms of route so stick with subways or walking for most parts....
As for expenses goes, you should plan to get some extras just in case.... Japan is mad hella expensive.... at least WAY WAY more than Korea......
I go to school in NYC hehe Didn't realize Tokyo is as expensive as NYC, guess I gotta pack some serious shit
And Kona hehe, I was happy because Haji is japanese and DJEtterstyle made awesome blogs about his time in Japan so no worries lol I thank you too along with everyone
On July 26 2009 02:52 DJEtterStyle wrote: Don't take any taxis, by the way. It cost me $50 to go less than five miles. You sit. In traffic. For. Ever. The subway is cheaper and probably faster.
They can't be worse than NYC taxis.... blah.... but yes, subway is always better in most places... I would say buses but buses are hard to figure out in terms of route so stick with subways or walking for most parts....
As for expenses goes, you should plan to get some extras just in case.... Japan is mad hella expensive.... at least WAY WAY more than Korea......
I go to school in NYC hehe Didn't realize Tokyo is as expensive as NYC, guess I gotta pack some serious shit
And Kona hehe, I was happy because Haji is japanese and DJEtterstyle made awesome blogs about his time in Japan so no worries lol I thank you too along with everyone
Omg really??? Where?!?!?! WHERE?!?!?!?!?!
... ... ... ...
...
b/c I'm from NYC ^_^
*edit* and yes, Tokyo is as expensive or even more than NYC possibly... especially the currency exchange rate gives you less yens than dollars.... which is an implication that Japan's economy beats NYC + USA economy in terms of money values...
I am actually going to finish my blog. I have all but two posts 100% done and ready to go, but I don't want to start posting again until I'm finished with the whole thing. My "massive fan base" has been disappointed enough.
On July 26 2009 03:09 thedeadhaji wrote: only time I take a cab is when I have to get to the hotel from Tokyo station with MASS suitcases and subway just isn't an option X_X
Lol, there are services that will take your luggage to where ever you are going so you don't have to drag it all the way from the airport.
1) How does the Japanese Subway system work? A friend of mine said Transfering to other trains makes you pay alot more.
The subway system in Japan is a little strange. You have to make very clear distinctions between "subways" and "trains". Subway is called Tokyo Metro, and you can switch between lines without paying extra. However, there is also the Yamanote, which is not subway and arguably the most useful line in centre tokyo region and runs in a loop, and this is run by JR. Yamanote will take you to major stops (like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, Tokyo, etc...) where you can switch to Subway, and this switch will cost you extra. There are also private trains going outside of central Tokyo, but I doubt you care about those.
The starting rate is 130 yen, regardless which line you take, and your specific fare is based on distance. The increment is rather linear. If you think of the cost formula as y = mx + b, switch companies simply means you have to pay for "b" all over again (which is probably ~100 yen).
2) Japanese Cuisine? I love Sushi and the Japanese noodles but are there other things I should try out?
Tokyo prides itself in its restaurants -- not only traditional Japanese, but also French and Italian fusion. Good sushi costs A LOT of money in Japan; it is not unusual to run close to 10,000 Yen per meal if you dine around Ginza area. For relative cheap and quality sushi, you have to go to Tsukiji (where the fish market is). A good place is called Daiwa sushi. It's very hard to find, and you'd probably need to ask around for a bit. Other good traditional Japanese cuisine include tsukiyaki, fugu (I know this awesome restaurant in Ginza), whale, tonkatsu, tempura, chanko, unagi. The thing in Japan is, they have a lot of store specializing in making one and only one thing, and you should go to these specific stores for specific dishes. Let me know if you are interested in any of these, and I'll point you the right way
3) Do taxi drivers rip you off in Japan? I know for a fact all Asian Taxi drivers try to rip you off in everyway possible.
No.
4) How useful is English in Japan?
Not as useful as you would think. Essential Japanese phrases would help you go a long way. If you mostly cluster around touristy areas, you should be okay. The subway and train stations, however, are fully labelled in both English and Japanese.
5) Places I should visit?
Asakusa, Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji, Akihabara, O-Daiba... there's literally too much stuff to do in four days
6) Is 400 USD enough over a 4day period (excluding hotel)?
Is this for one person or two people? It largely depends on what you want to do and how frugal you are. My budget was around ~100USD/day whenever I travelled within Japan, but I always ended up spending ~150 on average. Tokyo is probably slightly more expensive, so I would budget ~150/p/day at least if you want to enjoy it fully.
On July 26 2009 03:09 thedeadhaji wrote: only time I take a cab is when I have to get to the hotel from Tokyo station with MASS suitcases and subway just isn't an option X_X
Lol, there are services that will take your luggage to where ever you are going so you don't have to drag it all the way from the airport.
on the subway just know where you want to go and buy a ticket though to that station. keep it simple and you will be fine. just be aware of when the stations close if you are out late.
food... i'm all about sushi when i'm in japan because sushi in the usa sucks for the price. if you're coming from korea then i dunno... eat stuff that you don't recognize i guess.
don't bother with taxis. they will kill your budget and there are tons of good things to do within walking distance of the train stations if you are only there for 4 days.
english will get you by fine. don't waste your time on some memorized japanese 101 phrases if you aren't going to understand the answers. if speaking english try college-age women first, they will be your best bet for admitting they understand you.
i recommend meiji shrine and yoyogi park in harajuku, the tokyo city government building in shinjuku, shibuya in general, the museums in ueno.
bring as much money as you can afford, but be smart. with food especially the places right next to the station will be more expensive and not that great in quality. walk a few blocks and look for places that are busy inside but not flashy outside.
if no one mentioned this yet, if you're with your girlfriend you guys should go to Odaiba. there's this really nice onsen and it's theme is feudal japan. it's super nice.
aside from that, shibuya is really good to go bar/club hopping and harajuku is really nice to buy cheap alt. clothing. aoyama and roppongi are super nice places to go to too.
On July 26 2009 02:49 DJEtterStyle wrote: If you can, go to Tsukiji in the early morning and try to make yourself scarce, lest the fishmongers yell at you.
On July 26 2009 03:06 DJEtterStyle wrote: I am actually going to finish my blog. I have all but two posts 100% done and ready to go, but I don't want to start posting again until I'm finished with the whole thing. My "massive fan base" has been disappointed enough.
some people are going to think you've been in japan for almost a year now
On July 26 2009 05:02 chaoser wrote: if no one mentioned this yet, if you're with your girlfriend you guys should go to Odaiba. there's this really nice onsen and it's theme is feudal japan. it's super nice.
aside from that, shibuya is really good to go bar/club hopping and harajuku is really nice to buy cheap alt. clothing. aoyama and roppongi are super nice places to go to too.
For trains/Subways in Osaka you can buy a "rainbow card" which basically works like a debit card for most of the trainlines in the city (other than JR). Check to see if they have something like that and buy one each (usually they can be bought in 1000 yen increments). That will save you digging for change everytime.
Don't take a taxi. The guy who said it was as expensive as NY is wrong. It is 5x as expensive as New York. The only time you take a taxi is when you stayed out past the last train, and usually you are too drunk to care about price until the next day.
You can do 100 USD per day unless you buy souvenirs. Budgeting 100 per day for transportation, admittance to 1-2 places, and food will leave you ok. Alcohol can be expensive depending on what and where you drink. Any gifts you want to take home budget on top of that.
edit:
bring as much money as you can afford, but be smart. with food especially the places right next to the station will be more expensive and not that great in quality. walk a few blocks and look for places that are busy inside but not flashy outside.
Very good advice. Walk away from the neon a little bit, find a restaurant with a wooden sign, off the main roads. The chances of having an amazing meal go up 100% if you are a bit adventurous.
EPT
